Praha 6 selected a tenant for Pellé's villa, it will have a gallery

Prague - After several months, Prague 6 has selected a new tenant for the Pellé Villa in Bubeneč. The association Porte will operate a gallery, cultural center, and café. The rent will be symbolic, said city hall spokesperson Adam Halmoši in response to a query from ČTK. The first vernissage will take place on October 9 in the historic building. The previous operator, Galerie Anderle, ended after ten years due to low attendance.
    The intention to rent the villa was announced by the city hall in February. A condition of the competition was that the cultural and social program be preserved. Fourteen applicants participated, and the winner was selected by a committee in a three-round process. "Since the association is a non-profit organization, it pays symbolic rent and is also obligated to take care of the operation and functioning of the villa entirely at its own expense year-round," said Halmoši. Unlike the previous operator, it will not be entitled to any subsidies.
    From October, the villa will host exhibitions, theatrical performances, concerts, art auctions, as well as lectures and language courses. A club for seniors will operate in the basement. Couples can choose the villa as a venue for their wedding ceremony.
    The city hall did not heed the initiative of local residents who requested that a kindergarten be returned to the villa. The kindergarten was abolished by a decision of the council in 2001. The subsequent restoration of the monument cost 32 million crowns.